Can anyone imagine WWE letting one of their top stars' contracts expire? Especially right before a huge pay per view when the person is holding a major championship.
They did it with Jarrett in '99 while he had the IC belt, and he held them up for $300k so he'd drop the belt to Chyna the next day on PPV (No Mercy).
Hence the on screen burial by Vince when they bought out WCW.